How to treat nasal congestion in children? Today, there are many drugs that can quickly cure the disease and prevent the chronicity of the inflammatory process.
A runny nose in an adult often lasts 5-7 days and is not accompanied by complications. Another thing is when a child's nose is clogged. Prolonged preservation of congestion against the background of the progression of the infectious-allergic process leads to the occurrence of undesirable consequences:
- otitis media. Its development is based on the spread of edema to the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube, due to which its airway function and ventilation in the ear cavities are disrupted. This is accompanied by hypersecretion and activation of opportunistic flora;
- sinusitis (sinusitis, frontal sinusitis). The mechanism of development has much in common with otitis media, only the inflammatory focus is localized in the paranasal sinuses;
- laryngitis. Inhalation of cold, untreated air increases the risk of inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa. At the age of 2-4 years, laryngospasm is especially often diagnosed against the background of pronounced edema of the vocal cords;
- apnea. In most cases, periods of temporary cessation of breathing are observed in a child with adenoids, polyps and structural anomalies in the structure of the nasal passages (deformation of the septum);
- hypotrophy (weight loss). Babies have a separate problem with a cold. It is associated with the inability to breastfeed. Against the background of nasal congestion, it is difficult for the baby to breathe through the nose and, accordingly, suck on the breast or bottle. To prevent weight loss, you need to use small feeding spoons;
- adenoiditis. A child from three to eight years old may suffer from adenoids. The proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharyngeal tonsil disrupts the passage of air and is capable of accumulating infection. Even with a slight decrease in immunity or after hypothermia, adenoiditis occurs.
Treatment activities
Before starting treatment, you need to understand its cause:
- physiological rhinitis. This condition affects babies. The fact is that after birth, the nasal mucosa is exposed to the aggressive action of irritating factors (dust, allergens, microbes, chemicals), therefore, it begins to intensively produce a secret to cleanse the nasal passages. Physiological rhinitis usually lasts up to 8 weeks, after which it heals on its own;
With a physiological rhinitis, it is important to keep the nose clean and facilitate nasal breathing. The use of antiseptics and other strong drugs is not recommended.
- allergens (wool, dust mites, strong smells of chemicals, hygiene products, fluff, pollen, food, medicines). In this case, it is rational to take antihistamines;
- infection. Against the background of a decrease in local protection, the risk of infection increases. Toxins produced by microbes attack the blood vessels, after which the latter dilate and edema appears. Antiseptic drugs for inhalation or nasal instillation may be added to the therapy;
- dry, polluted air. To create optimal conditions in the nursery, it is necessary to maintain the humidity at 60%, lower the temperature to 19 degrees, regularly ventilate the room and carry out wet cleaning, which will reduce the concentration of dust and allergens in the air;
- frequent colds, hypothermia. Parents should pay attention to the level of the child's immune defense. To strengthen it, you need to normalize nutrition, regularly walk in the fresh air and heal on the sea coast, in the forest zone;
Inhalation
When the nose is blocked, inhalation medications can be used.
It is easier for a child to carry out the procedure using a nebulizer, but there are some limitations in its use:
- inhalations are not carried out with hyperthermia;
- using a nebulizer, it is forbidden to inhale herbal decoctions, oil solutions;
- preparations for the device are diluted exclusively with saline solution.
For nasal congestion in children, the following medications are used:
- propolis tincture. It should not be used for microbial, allergic rhinitis due to the risk of disease progression. The tincture should be diluted 1:20 with saline;
- Tonsilong is also diluted with saline 1: 1 (child from seven years old), 1: 2 (1-7 years old);
- Saline solution - in its pure form. It is indicated for cleansing, moisturizing the mucous membrane and protecting it from irritating factors;
- Furacilin - prescribed for infectious rhinitis; tincture of calendula - diluted 1:40 with saline;
- Interferon. The contents of the ampoule should be diluted with 3 ml saline solution.
Inhalation frequency should not exceed twice a day. The duration of the procedure is 7-10 minutes.
An addition to inhalations can be massage of points in the paranasal area, as well as warming procedures (foot baths, mustard plasters).
Medicines
You can treat a stuffy nose with medication. They are prescribed when the nose is heavily clogged:
- vasoconstrictor. The medicine quickly relieves congestion by reducing tissue edema. The drugs act locally, constrict the blood vessels, which is the reason for their therapeutic effect. The child is allowed Nazol baby, Nazivin, Tizin;
Vasoconstrictor drugs help well only in the first 5-7 days of use, since subsequently the risk of addiction and drying out of intranasal tissues increases.
- salt products (Humer, Dolphin). The composition includes sea water, so the drugs are absolutely safe and are prescribed from the first days of life. If a one-year-old child is sick, you can flush the nasal passages up to four times daily. For prophylaxis, you can also use a saline solution, however, observing the recommended doses. The mucous membrane of the nasopharynx has a certain composition of microflora, due to which its protection is maintained at a sufficient level. With frequent use of saline solution, the quantitative composition of opportunistic microorganisms may be disturbed, which increases the risk of disease;
- antihistamine for nasal congestion for children (Sanorin Anallergin). The action of the drug is to block the histamine receptors, which stimulate the development of an allergic reaction;
- homeopathic. They have a minimum number of contraindications, side effects, since they include natural ingredients. Children are allowed Edas-131, Delufen. They help to cure a runny nose of allergic, infectious origin, as well as chronic atrophic, hypertrophic type of rhinitis;
- immunostimulants. With frequent rhinitis, you need to take care of strengthening the child's immunity. For this you can use Derinat, IRS-19;
- antibacterial drugs provide high-quality cleansing of nasal tissues from microbes. Bioparox is often prescribed. It can be used at 3 years of age to prevent the spread of infection and inflammation;
- hormonal drugs (Avamis) for intranasal administration are prescribed for severe allergic rhinitis. Strong antihistamine, anti-inflammatory activity allows you to achieve the desired result in the shortest possible time;
A long course of hormonal sprays is accompanied by thinning of the mucous membrane, addiction and perforation of the septum.
- antiseptic drugs (Sialor Protargol 0.05%) are prescribed from two years old. Its action is aimed at combating microbes, due to which it is possible to sanitize the infectious focus;
- antiviral (Nazoferon). In the case of viral genesis of the common cold, the use of antiviral, immunomodulating agents is recommended;
- herbal preparations (Pinosol, Cameton). The composition includes natural oils, vitamins, which makes it possible to reduce inflammation, tissue edema, the severity of rhinorrhea, accelerate the regeneration of the mucous membrane, and restore nasal breathing.
Complicated drops
Complex drops for intranasal administration can relieve nasal congestion in a child. They consist of several components, due to which a person gets a double or triple effect when using one medicine.
The drug can be prepared at home, so parents should strictly follow the recipe. The disadvantage of such drugs is the lack of information about their tolerability. In addition, it will not be possible to maintain sterility at home, which is also important. It is best to entrust the preparation of a complex medicine to an experienced specialist, since we are talking about the health of the child.
Multicomponent drugs are selected individually for each case of the disease. Contraindications include:
- individual intolerance to the components of a complex medicine;
- physiological rhinitis;
- cold.
Composition of a complex medicine
To achieve a good effect, you need to use:
- saline or antiseptic solution (Dioxidin, Furacilin) as the basis of the drug;
- Miramistin, the action of which is aimed at combating fungi, bacteria, viruses;
- Protargol, which contains silver;
- Nazivin, Galazolin - vasoconstrictor agents that are necessary to reduce mucosal edema and facilitate nasal breathing;
- Diphenhydramine, Suprastin - antihistamines, the action of which is aimed at blocking histamine receptors. The clinical effect is manifested in the form of restoration of breathing, reduction of itching sensations, the volume of mucous secretions;
- Cefazolin is an antibacterial agent. It is added to the medicine if it is necessary to treat an infectious rhinitis;
- essential oils of pine, eucalyptus, plant extracts are used as auxiliary components. They have an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regenerating effect;
- Prednisolone, Dexamethasone are hormonal drugs that have powerful anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic properties.
When compiling a medicine, it is necessary to take into account adverse reactions and contraindications for each ingredient.
Recipes
Often, multicomponent drugs are prescribed for:
- chronic rhinitis;
- ineffectiveness of monocomponent therapy;
- complicated course of rhinitis.
For children, the following drug recipes are recommended:
- water (saline) 3 ml, Naphthyzin 7 ml, Hydrocortisone 1 ml, Cefazolin 500 mg;
- Dioxidin, Naphtizin - in equal parts;
- Dioxidine 5 ml, Dexamethasone 1 ml, Naphthyzin (half bottle), Diphenhydramine 1 ml.
All ingredients must be mixed and used to instill the nasal passages.
Traditional methods
You can also treat a nasal congestion in a child with folk remedies. They have proven to be effective for decades.
When choosing alternative therapy, it is necessary to strictly observe the preparation technology and dosage of the components of the medicine.
If a child has a stuffy nose, you can use the following remedies:
- aloe juice. Before preparing the medicine, you need to cut the plant near the base, wrap it in a dark cloth and leave it in the refrigerator overnight. This is necessary for the activation of biological substances. Next, you should peel the sheet, removing a thin layer of the skin, cut, squeeze out the juice. It can be diluted with water in a 1: 2 ratio. You can drip an effective remedy two drops three times a day. To enhance the therapeutic effect, aloe juice can be diluted with an antiseptic solution, for example, Dioxidin or Furacilin;
- onion drops. Onion juice has a powerful antibacterial, decongestant effect. For cooking, it is enough to peel the onion, cut it, squeeze out the juice, dilute the latter with water 1: 3. It is recommended to drip twice daily. If after the first instillation there is a burning discomfort, you must immediately wash off the juice with water or saline. The next time you should reduce the concentration of onion juice;
- beet juice - effective for colds. For treatment, it is enough to choose an elongated, dark burgundy vegetable, peel it, squeeze out the juice. Dilute 1: 1 with water, add two drops daily;
- camomile tea. 15 g of the plant should be poured with 230 ml boiling water, left under a closed lid. After 20 minutes, you can start rinsing the nasal passages. It is imperative to control the temperature of the infusion in order to avoid burns of the mucous membrane.
When restoring nasal breathing, you need to remember about the drinking regimen. The child needs to drink tea with ginger, currant, honey, lemon, as well as compotes, still mineral water or unsweetened juice. It is best to prevent the occurrence of a cold than to treat it for a long time and deal with complications.
